Graphics Card

[ilovethesims]

Hello everyone, I would just like to know how to apply the procedure for getting the card recognized for NVIDIA GeForce 740M? I tried to do what the article in Mod The Sims said, but when I tested the game it was still using the integrated Intel chips. I've also done the bit about how to change the active graphics card when you have dual cards in the laptop. I still get the poorest graphics quality when I run the game. Many thanks.

[Pam]

Hello everyone, I would just like to know how to apply the procedure for getting the card recognized for NVIDIA GeForce 740M? I tried to do what the article in Mod The Sims said, but when I tested the game it was still using the integrated Intel chips. I've also done the bit about how to change the active graphics card when you have dual cards in the laptop. I still get the poorest graphics quality when I run the game. Many thanks.

Do you have two graphics cards in your computer?

[MrsFlynn]

Hi Ilovethesims,

The only thing I can think of is to have a look at Crinrict's blog that helps explain how to the game to recognize your card.

Crinrict's Blog -
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2013/06/getting-the-game-to-recognize-your-card.html

Or have you already tried this?

MrsFlynn

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Hello everyone, I would just like to know how to apply the procedure for getting the card recognized for NVIDIA GeForce 740M? I tried to do what the article in Mod The Sims said, but when I tested the game it was still using the integrated Intel chips. I've also done the bit about how to change the active graphics card when you have dual cards in the laptop. I still get the poorest graphics quality when I run the game. Many thanks.

[ilovethesims]

Yes, I edited GraphicsRules and I have added the NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M to the drivers for uber level graphics. I've tested and it runs but still the graphics are set at the lowest level.

[MrsFlynn]

Here's something that might help. It's kind of technical, but if the nVidia Control Panel thing isn't working, this can be something to try.

http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Getting_new_graphics_cards_recognized_by_the_game

MrsFlynn

[kittykittykatxoo]

I hope you guys don't mind helping someone out with one post count  . I've been dealing with the choppy game play on my game for a while now. I have all the expansions. I using an onboard graphics chip so it was all to be expected. I recently sucked it up and bought a graphics card (along with 8 gig ram and a new psu of course.) The graphics card is an MSI Twin frozr geforce gtx 750 with 1024 mb. The card runs great with every other game I throw at it, but the sims 3 just hasn't changed which is a let down. I'm starting to think maybe it's just not compatible? Things I have tried include lowering the graphics (same exact choppy feeling just with gross visuals), applying nraa mods, trying a frame limiter (the fps is about 10-30 on high graphics and 40-60 on low so I didn't expect this to do anything), I used a program that made it so I was only using the base game, and I edited the game files so it would recognize my graphics card (which it didn't at first, but there was no noticeable difference when it was all done.) Is there aything I am missing?

[MrsFlynn]

Hi Kitty,

I think I may have a tip for you to try.

Game Help:Getting new graphics cards recognized by the game
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Getting_new_graphics_cards_recognized_by_the_game

If this doesn't help though, please post back so we maybe able to help further.

MrsFlynn

[kittykittykatxoo]

Hi Kitty,

I think I may have a top for you to try.

Game Help:Getting new graphics cards recognized by the game
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Getting_new_graphics_cards_recognized_by_the_game

If this doesn't help though, please post back so we maybe able to help further.

MrsFlynn

This was the very last thing I tried and I thought this was it because my graphics card wasn't in the list. I'm pretty sure I did it right because now it says "found = 1" in the deviceconfig. I hope there is something I missed because I don't want to give up on playing this decently!

[MrsFlynn]

Would you mind sharing the make/model and specs of your computer, so we maybe to help more?

Here's a how to find system specs if you're unsure.

How To: Find System Information - Window 8
http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,18902.0.html

Or if you have Windows 7

How To: Find System Information - Window 7
http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,18710.msg351730.html

MrsFlynn

[kittykittykatxoo]

Hm, I thought I replied. Maybe the link I used wasn't allowed. I'll just copy and paste then.
I'm willing to try anything I already did over again. I mostly was trying things on my own using guides so I might of messed up somewhere. This is on a fresh hard drive and a new install.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/7/2014, 10:37:49
       Machine name: it's too embarrassing, sorry
   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
       System Model: HP Pavilion P6000 Series 
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 04/12/10 21:25:57 Ver: 6.03
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 630 Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
             Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8184MB RAM
          Page File: 4563MB used, 11802MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
 System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode

[Flynn Arrowstarr]

Hi, Kitty.

I think the problem you may be having is partly due to your system's processor, or CPU. Most CPUs have three levels of cache memory (temporary storage for instructions). These are labeled L1, L2 and L3. L1 cache is the smallest and is usually per core. L2 and L3 are larger pools of memory shared by the cores. The more instructions you can pre-load into cache, the faster the processor can run those instructions.

According to the review of your CPU on AnandTech, the Athalon II series processors have no L3 cache, which hampers performance. If you're up to some system tweaking, there is a program called AMD Fusion which can temporarily shut down system services while you play a game. It uses profiles to manage your services. However, the application is no longer being developed or supported by AMD, and caution must be taken as it is a pretty complex program.

Also, make sure all your drivers are up to date.

Hope this helps and happy Simming!

Flynn

[kittykittykatxoo]

Agh, that wasn't the easy fix I was hoping for. Thanks for the responses anyway!

[MrsFlynn]

I'm going to error on the side that you've probably tried these tips, but just in case you haven't.  Have you tried the following:

Delete the cache files (socialCache.package, Sims3Logs.xml, simCompositorCache.package, scriptCache.package, compositorCache.package, CasPartCache.package)

-- Also delete everything except Ccmerged.package file in your DCBackup folder.

-- Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 > DCBackup

04.) Check your active household's family and individual inventories, as having to many items (100 or more items) in their inventories may cause lag and freezing. This can happen fast if the sims is a fisher, gardener or alchemist, not to mention collector.

Factory reset - Copy your Sims 3 folder to the desktop. Rename your current Sims 3 folder to something like Sims 3 Current. Click the Sims 3 icon to create a new Sims 3 folder. Then copy your game saves, files and such over to the new game to see if that helps. (This is different from a total-game reinstall)

If you need to know what to save/backup. Have a look at this thread.

How To: Saving folders/files to use on a different computer or to use as backup
http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,16414.msg313134.html#msg313134

Run a register cleaner program. (Something like Ccleaner, It's free - http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download)
This helps clean up temporary files, internet cache files and other files that are left behind that are no longer being used, after uninstalling.

Disk Cleanup and Defrag are helpful to do as well.
-- All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Clean Up
-- All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Defragmenter

These paths were made with Windows 7 in mind. With Windows 8, they maybe different.  These programs will help clean out the unnecessary and temporary files on your computer and reorganize your hard drive to make it run smoother.

And just to note, some of the expansions and towns are graphic intensive and take a lot of processing power of the computer. Pets, Supernatural Seasons, University Life, and especially Island Paradise. So you may want to take that into consideration.

Playing for long periods of time (2+ hours or more)  without saving will cause lag and freezing too. So save often. I try to save at least every hour.

Anyway, I hope some of these tips will help,

MrsFlynn

[Flynn Arrowstarr]

I merged the posts about buying a laptop from here to the Buying a Desktop or Laptop for The Sims 3 thread.

Flynn